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Infographic: The story of Athena SWAN

29 Apr 2019 | Advance HE This infographic provides further insight into Advance HE’s gender equality charter, Athena SWAN. We tell the story of the charter and describe the 10 key principles on which it is based

Last month we celebrated one year of Advance HE, reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next phase of our work with the HE sector. This infographic provides further insight into Advance HE’s gender equality charter, Athena SWAN. We tell the story of the charter and describe the 10 key principles on which it is based.

the-story-of-Athena-SWAN-charter-advance-he

The original aims of Athena SWAN

The Athena SWAN charter was established in June 2005 with the aim to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in STEMM employment in HE and research. (Read further to see how our aims have expanded).

In May 2015, the charter expanded to recognise:

  • Work in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL)
  • Professional and support roles
  • Trans staff and students

Its purpose today

Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Charter covers gender equality in students, academic roles and professional and support roles in relation to their:

  • Representation
  • Progression
  • Journey through career milestones
  • Working environment for everyone

10 key principles of Athena SWAN

By being part of Athena SWAN, you:

  1. Acknowledge that academia cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of all.
  2. Commit to advancing gender equality in academia.
  3. Commit to addressing unequal gender representation.
  4. Commit to tackling the gender pay gap.
  5. Commit to removing the obstacles faced by women.
  6. Commit to addressing the negative consequences of using short-term contracts.
  7. Commit to tackling the discriminatory treatment often experienced by trans people.
  8. Acknowledge that advancing gender equality demands commitment and action from all levels of the organisation.
  9. Commit to making and mainstreaming sustainable structural and cultural changes to advance gender equality.
  10. Commit to considering the intersection of gender and other factors wherever possible.

Find out more about Athena SWAN.

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